Colombia Will Shelter Venezuelan Political Dissidents, Petro Says

President Gustavo Petro said Colombia won’t extradite political exiles to Venezuela, despite improving relations between the two neighboring countries.

Diosdado Cabello, a senior figure in Venezuela’s ruling socialist party, called for Colombia’s new government to send back “murderers” and “thieves” who have taken refuge there, according to a news report re-tweeted by Petro.

Petro said Colombia guarantees the right to asylum.

About 2 million Venezuelans are currently living in Colombia, including many opposition leaders. The previously acrimonious relationship between the neighboring countries has improved since Petro’s leftist government took office this month.

Agencies